INEC Acknowledges Shehu Gabam-Led SDP National Leadership Post-Court Ruling

Following an extended period of internal conflict, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has formally acknowledged the National Working Committee (NWC) of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) led by Shehu Gabam. This recognition has been implemented through an update on the commission's official website, which now displays the opposition party's leadership structure. Notably, the website entry includes the designation "By Court Order" preceding the names of NWC members, with the exception of the National Secretary.

According to the information published on INEC's website, Gabam is listed as the National Chairman, and Dr. Olu Agunloye holds the position of National Secretary. Other individuals recognised as members of the party's NWC on the commission's site include Hajia Maggie Mariam as National Treasurer and Aderemi Abimbola as National Legal Adviser.

This development comes after the Court of Appeal in Abuja affirmed Gabam as the legitimate National Chairman of the SDP. The appellate court's ruling, delivered on March 27, 2026, addressed an appeal filed by a party member, Fayemi Babatunde, under case number CA/ABJ/CV/126/2026.

The appellant had contested the validity of the Ekiti State governorship primary election, arguing that the party leadership overseeing the exercise lacked the proper legitimacy and legal authority to form an Electoral Committee. The appeal specifically challenged the NWC, then led by Dr. Sadiq Gombe, asserting it was improperly constituted and acted contrary to the party's constitution and electoral laws.

The appellant had also sought a court order to prevent INEC from recognising any candidates who emerged from the disputed leadership's primary election. The initial case at the Federal High Court in Abuja was dismissed on January 19, 2026, by Justice Emeka Nwite, who had validated Gombe's position as the party's authentic chairman and the legality of the party's electoral processes.

However, the Court of Appeal partially overturned this decision, ruling that the trial court had exceeded its jurisdiction in making pronouncements regarding the SDP's leadership dispute. In the lead judgment, Justice Eberechi Nyesom-Wike, alongside Justices Abba Mohammed and Oyejoju Oyewumi, stated that any findings made without jurisdiction were invalid.

The appellate court declared, "The appeal succeeds in part," confirming only that the appellant was not a candidate in the primary election in question. Consequently, the court nullified the Federal High Court's earlier pronouncements that recognised Gombe as the party's leader and validated the primary election held on November 8, 2025.

Despite these nullifications, the appellate court referenced INEC's monitoring report (Exhibit INEC 3). This report indicated that the primary election had been conducted with valid delegates and had a clear winner, Mr. Bankole Oludele.